Learn to love lobbying - it’s part of the ugliness of democracy

Grant Jordan

Press/Media: Articles in 'The Conversation'

Description

I had better declare an interest: it’s that sort of week. I co-edit a journal called Interest Groups and Advocacy. This is of no interest to HMRC, but the journal’s name merits examination in the context of lobbying. Transatlantic influences successfully pushed for inclusion of the “advocacy” term in the title.

While here in the UK this has legal overtones, in some US circles everyone is seen as potentially advocating – especially interest groups. Advocacy in this sense is just “putting your oar in” and is generally “a good thing”.